KDP Leads Discussions on Coffee’s Future at Climate Week NYC 2026
As global leaders, policymakers, NGOs and businesses gathered for Climate Week NYC 2026, Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) helped advance discussions on some of the most pressing issues facing the coffee sector, from sustainable procurement and food security to farmer livelihoods and innovation.
Through its “The Future of Coffee Starts Here” event, Keurig® convened industry leaders to explore what will be required to build a more resilient coffee sector in the years ahead. Featuring remarks from Monique Oxender, Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer, the event highlighted how Keurig is helping shape the future of coffee through innovation, expertise and impact. Guests explored initiatives such as Blue Harvest Regenerative and The Coffee Canopy Partnership, which demonstrate the Company’s efforts to support coffee-growing communities and strengthen the long-term resilience of coffee landscapes. Attendees also got an early preview of the Keurig Alta system, showcasing an innovative plastic-free coffee pod designed to unlock new beverage experiences, support premiumization and drive long-term growth.
During the Consumer Goods Forum CSO meeting and the United Nations Global Compact Leadership Summit, Laurent Sagarra, Vice President, Impact & Engagement, joined sustainability leaders to explore a common challenge: how to move from individual company commitments to collective delivery at scale. At the UN Global Compact, the discussion focused on procurement as a powerful but often underused lever for decarbonization. Because many companies depend on the same suppliers, technologies and value chains, consistent market signals can help accelerate investment, scale solutions and make the transition more economically viable. The broader message across both conversations was one of urgency. Climate change is already affecting agricultural supply chains, making investment in adaptation and resilience essential. But adaptation alone is not enough. Reducing climate risk will also require faster decarbonization across the value chains and systems that companies collectively influence.
At a Climate Action for Smallholders Coalition (CASH) event, Whitney Kakos, Senior Director, Sustainability, joined fellow leaders to discuss how the coffee sector can strengthen support for smallholder farmers facing increasing climate-related challenges. In the context of a looming El Nino weather pattern, the conversation provided real world examples of collaboration, investment and practical tools helping farmers adapt to extreme weather while sustaining productivity and livelihoods. From irrigation pumps and digital weather forecasts to low interest loans for climate adaptation, these solutions underscored important ways forward.
Later in the week, Monique also joined a United Nations General Assembly side event that built upon the topic of investing in smallholder farmers. Alongside technical assistance partner CRS, Monique highlighted the role of agricultural innovation and food security investments in fostering long-term economic opportunity. Participants explored how governments, businesses and development organizations can better align resources to strengthen markets and deliver results like productivity gains and improved livelihoods to strengthen resilience in agricultural economies.
Climate Week reinforced a simple reality: the future of coffee will not be secured by any one company acting alone. Building farmer resilience and protecting coffee landscapes requires action and investment across the entire value chain, including governments.. For KDP and its coffee business, that means continuing to reduce the impacts we control while working with partners to help advance solutions across the broader coffee sector. The opportunity now is to turn shared ambition into shared action — and shared action into impact at scale.